Linda, who along with her husband Mike built and nurtured Juday Creek Golf Course over the last 25 or so years, isn’t the least bit apprehensive about getting her point across to whoever will listen.

Members of Congress included.

To celebrate National Golf Day Wednesday, Rogers, the first woman president of the National Golf Course Owners Association, will be on Capitol Hill to give lawmakers some reminders about the significance of the golf business.

She’s no rookie with such high-profile audiences. When an issue hits close to home, Rogers is more than willing to speak her piece.

“I get nervous, but it’s exciting and fun,” Rogers said. “If you believe in something, you should share your voice.”

About seven years ago, Rogers believed in Indiana adhering to the Eastern time zone all year long. She was diligent lobbying on the statewide level. Daylight Savings Time in the summer is a blessing for golf courses.

A couple years ago, she was indoctrinated into the political climate of D.C. when she spoke on behalf of the NGCOA about property tax reform.

Juday Creek and Whispering Pines in North Liberty are the two privately-owned public courses in St. Joseph County. Besides the exclusive private clubs, they’re forced to compete for play with municipal courses.

Rogers said that courses owned and operated by cities are exempt from paying property taxes, and at the same time aren’t required to pay sales tax on course maintenance items like chemicals.

Obviously, privately-owned public courses have no such tax breaks. In Rogers’ opinion, they actually contribute more to the general health of the tax structure than the municipal courses.

“We just can’t compete,” Rogers said about the challenge to keep greens fees in line.

That was a couple years ago. Her message Wednesday will be about equality again. The NGCOA wants the federal government to recognize golf as a small business endeavor, when it comes to recovery from a natural disaster, such as Hurricane Katrina.

“When it comes to getting federal disaster funds, golf is excluded,” Rogers said. “We’re lumped in with casinos and massage parlors. Golf courses are no different than any other small business.”

The NGCOA and other organizations governing different areas of the business will play the games. They’ll set up hitting nets for the members of Congress.

They’ll have putting contests between Republicans and Democrats.

Mainly, they’ll be trying to find some sympathetic ears to craft the proper legislation.

The golf business has been tough the last four years. When the economy goes south, a luxury item like a round of golf is sacrificed.

Besides the economic crunch, Rogers has perceived a shift in the way a family spends its free time.

“It used to be where you’d see men at the golf course on Saturday and Sunday,” Rogers said. “Now, those dads are taking their kids to soccer, baseball, basketball, whatever. The family has changed, so we’ve had to change the facility.”

The new target is the kids. Getting youngsters out on the course is a way to breathe life into the game, according to Rogers’ daughter and Juday Creek general manager Michelle Wittig.

Rogers said on Sundays there’s a recalculated course that measures a total of 540 over nine holes, the “Little Nine,” as they call it. Dads can work on their short game and neither the moms nor the kids are intimidated by the distance.

“It has become really popular,” Rogers said.

Another innovative idea came from her daughter. This is the fifth year of the Juday Creek team program. Last year, 65 junior golfers paid $400 and were given unlimited access to the course — and soft drinks — all summer. They were divided into teams, with an area college golfer being paid to coach each team.

With a month left in registration, this year’s league looks like it could be larger.

“The juniors, they’re the future of the game,” Rogers said. “We have the coaches trained. The juniors are learning the fundamentals of the game, and the right way to conduct themselves on the course. It’s a good foundation for them.”